72hr Free Camp – Gibson Soak Hotel – Western Australia

************************ EDITED 7TH APRIL 2018 *************************

*********************************** UPDATE ********************** *******

THE GIBSON SOAK HOTEL IS NO LONGER EXCEPTING CAMPERS AT THIS TIME. THIS IS DUE TO CAMPERS NOT HAVING RESPECT FOR THE CAMP GROUND OR PUB.

WE HOPE THIS WILL CHANGE IN THE FUTURE!

Gibson Soak Hotel Caravan and RV Park —

Gibson Soak, is close to Esperance and all it’s attractions. Esperance is only about 25min away, past the Gibson golf club and the famous Pink Lake.

The Camp is a huge grass/sandy area by the side of the hotel. You could fit well over 30 vans of any size. Toilets are available 24/7 and a couple of bins are close by. The hotel also has fuel, a store and coffee and cake 😀

You have the road on one side and the train line on the other but don’t let that put you off. The traffic dies down at night and the train stops and starts at reasonable times, meaning we slept well.

Gibson Soak Hotel

We could smell the warmth of the fire from the camp site. Much like smelling a hot meal when your hungry, the smell was enticing. The pub was not what I expected at all. The fire was glowing and the inside of this older looking pub was much more modern on the inside.

We were greeted by the friendly bar staff. Having a chat to the staff while having a drink. Warming up by the fire was lovely! Gibson Soak Hotel is friendly and cosy pub that’s worth a visit even if you’re not staying in the camp.

Esperance

Only 25 min from the pub is Esperance. You pass lots of mechanical, marine and auto places on the way there if you are in need of that type of service.

The town is smaller than I imagined but has a few chain stores such as Target and Woollies. They also have a camping and work wear store which Larry found a new Akubra type hat. Very helpful staff I have to say and I will get used to Larry’s hat 😉

I spotted a few quirky things in town, such as the old train carriage next to the second-hand book store. A tank next to the Camp store and many Vintage cars. Esperance has a Vintage care club so this would explain it 🙂

The Esplanade has many seating areas along the water. Outdoor, stationary fitness equipment is also available if your feeling up to it. We found there to be lots of parking spots for our ute, not so much if your still attached to your van!

Lookouts

As the weather has not been the best we didn’t head to the beaches but we had a drive to a couple of the lookouts. Having crossed the Eyer Highway and had a look at the Great Australian Bight we were eager to see more stunning lookouts.

Blue Haven being one that had a lovely view back towards Esperance. On a warmer less windy day it would have been a must to head down the stairs and put my feet in the water.

Salmon Beach Lookout, not far from Blue Haven, it was nice to sit with a coffee and look at the view. It may have been raining but the lookouts are still worth the drive.

You can drive to many, one after the other if you have the urge.

Pink Lake is a natural phenomenon caused by green alga, Saline, beta carotene, heat and the right light. I can tell you no more than that 😉

On the day we arrived, wind was blowing and rain was falling, the only pink to be seen was in my cheeks. No pink was to be seen in the Pink lake 🙁 Huge shame as I would have really enjoyed seeing it turn pink!

Pink Lake Esperance — Pink Lake Explained

Dump point and Potable water

Gibson soak Hotel might not have one but drive about 15 min and you have a dump point. Potable water to fill your tanks is also available.

Other Attractions

As I mentioned previously the camp is also near to the golf club. If you are wanting some more nature, down the road is the Esperance birds and animal park. Coffee at the cafe here is also valuable.

Cape Le Grand is a beautiful place you can drive to from here. We decided we would wait for our next trip around. When we might see it at its best, in the sunshine.

Esperance Stonehenge is on the way to Cape Le Grand.

There are of course many more things to see and do around the area. Gibson Soak Hotel is a fantastic place to base yourself if you want to check out any of the above. A 72hr free camp, this close to it all, is priceless, literally 😉